River Safaris - Adventures on the Wild Side
River Safaris - Adventures on the Wild Side
River Safaris - Adventures on the Wild Side
5
Scuba & SnorkellingBoat ToursBoat RentalsNature & Wildlife ToursSpeed Boats Tours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
River Safaris - Mild to Wild Airboat & Dolphin Tours, Manatee Swim Excursions, Pontoon Rentals, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Guided Scalloping Tours. All rentals and tours leave from our beautiful waterfront location. Key West style building in front of the property is where you go to sign in for tours, rentals and information. Please take the time to browse our gift shop. Breakfast & lunch are available at our very own Two Pop's Deli. Next door on the same property is the Pepper Creek Pottery in a 1930's Florida Cracker House and our Tree House Vacation Rental. Visit our Live Alligator exhibit and relax in a park like setting along our waterfront canal that leads to the Homosassa River and the Gulf of Mexico.
Homosassa, Florida
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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River Safaris - Adventures on the Wild Side
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
2,454 reviews
Excellent
2,250
Very good
128
Average
40
Poor
16
Terrible
21
csmith722025
Medina, NY1 contribution
Feb 2025
Our boat guide was so knowledgeable and our small group enabled us to see so much more. We saw lots of manatees, some with their young. We even saw the rare sight of dolphins swimming in circles to confuse the fish into leaping out of the water, so that the dolphins could catch them. I highly recommend this trip.
Written March 2, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie C
12 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
HIGHLY recommend for a natural setting swimming with the manatees. We were lucky enough to see lots being a tad "frisky" with one another so they were active! Because its a more quiet area, I feel like the manatees were able to be more themselves if that makes sense. Tour Guide James and Boat Captain Ang were fantastic in making us feel comfortable. Both had so much knowledge of the area and manatee information. They really know what it takes to protect these animals and kept us educated in all important matters. I would go on the same tour time and time again with them.
Written January 15, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rsmusa
Stuart, FL27 contributions
Feb 2025 • Family
My husband and I went on a swimming with manatee tour with Steph as the boat captain and Vickie as our in water guide. Both made sure we had an amazing birthday experience. We were instructed how to conduct ourselves around manatee and how to interact with them. After a short boat ride we were put on manatee and it was the fastest 3 hours in the water i ever experienced. Enteracting with these amazing animals was an experience we will remember forever. All i can say is if you have never been kissed by a wild manatee you should make the time and effort to take this tour. Thank you Grace and Ron
Written February 11, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike M
Los Angeles, CA5 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
I mean, do you like having fun?!? If so this is the place. Captain ‘Irish Dave’ and scallop master ‘Nat’ showed me and my family the perfect scallop adventure and the perfect day. Boat left on time, they have nice, new gear for everyone in our party, had a fast and smooth ride to the scallop site (saw a few dolphin on the way out). We hit the water after some expert scalloping instruction and everyone in my family caught scallops. Enough for dinner for 8. We also managed to stay out of the craziness of the other boats as Captain Dave knew some great spots off the beaten trail.
I mean, if you want easy, fun, a good time and lots of scallops, why go anywhere else. We will be back this winter for the manatee tour.i
A+++++++
I mean, if you want easy, fun, a good time and lots of scallops, why go anywhere else. We will be back this winter for the manatee tour.i
A+++++++
Written July 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dgulbran
Chicago, Illinois19 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
We came to Florida to see some wintering manatees and River Safaris did *not* disappoint! We actually stayed in the Crystal River area, and had gone to the Three Sisters springs just to walk the trails--and we saw those swimmers--very crowded! Our "swim with the manatees" adventure was the next day, in Homosassa with River Safaris.
Our Captain was Stephanie and our tour guide was Natalee. They could not have been nicer! Both were very friendly and super helpful--and both knew the area very well, too. We did the early morning (7am!) tour on New Year's Day(!) and it could not have been a better time. We saw several mama's with calves and a couple of solitary old fellows, too. It was everything we had hoped and we created some incredible memories with the family. Everyone at River Safaris was friendly and helpful, I cannot recommend them highly enough!
Our Captain was Stephanie and our tour guide was Natalee. They could not have been nicer! Both were very friendly and super helpful--and both knew the area very well, too. We did the early morning (7am!) tour on New Year's Day(!) and it could not have been a better time. We saw several mama's with calves and a couple of solitary old fellows, too. It was everything we had hoped and we created some incredible memories with the family. Everyone at River Safaris was friendly and helpful, I cannot recommend them highly enough!
Written January 2, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pjk21
Spicewood, TX1 contribution
May 2024 • Couples
We took the River Tour with Captain Ang on a pontoon boat. The early morning tour was great if you want to avoid the heat of the day. Ang was a great tour guide, we all enjoyed the trip out to the gulf and learned a lot about the area. A very relaxing ride, definitely recommend this almost 2 hour boat tour. We did see a manatee swimming alongside the boat (uncommon for this time of year) and various birds along way.
Written May 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane M
Homosassa, FL1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
We had the best trip out to the Gulf with Irisjh Dave expertly navigating his air boat! Dave was quick to point out the dolphins and sharks as he gave us an exhilarating fast and fun ride! Better than Disney!!!
Written September 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lori H
24 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
My sister was down from Ohio and we wanted to do something different and fun. Neither one of us has ever been on an airboat so we decided to take a ride on one out of Homosassa with River Safaris. We took the Gulf Ride & Dolphin Quest which was a 90-minute ride down the Homosassa River and through the backwaters and estuaries out to the Gulf of Mexico and back. The ride was a total blast. The boat was clean and ran great. Captain "Irish Dave" was an excellent guide. We felt safe and secure the entire trip and he shared a lot of great information about the areas we visited and was an eagle-eye at spotting manatee and other wildlife (sea turtles, tarpon, etc.). What a great way to spend the afternoon and we both agreed we will definitely come back to River Safaris & Gulf Charters in the future for another one of their airboat, pontoon, or manatee swims. Highly recommend this company and the airboat rides!!
Written June 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donnasX627SR
Weeki Wachee, FL9 contributions
Sep 2024
The ride was so relaxing. The boat was very comfortable, sun and shade for all. Captain Chris added to the pleasure of the trip. We were lucky enough to see a few different pods of dolphins playing when we were close to the Gulf. We are definitely doing this again.
Written September 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OnAir50317795276
Zurich, Switzerland5 contributions
Feb 2025 • Family
We booked a "swim with Manatee Tour" with our Guide Krissy and Captain Angelo. The weather was warmer the last days, so they were more out in the Sea, but we saw a lot of other animals like bald eagles, Osprey, anhinga, turtles, stingray etc.
Krissy knows everything about Wildlife, and Captain Angelo knows everything about Homosassa River.
We highly recommend a tour with River Safaris. Thank you for few great hours on the River♥️🐟🛥
Krissy knows everything about Wildlife, and Captain Angelo knows everything about Homosassa River.
We highly recommend a tour with River Safaris. Thank you for few great hours on the River♥️🐟🛥
Written February 14, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have rented a pontoon boat for next week; where can we rent wetsuits and/or snorkel gear nearby prior to getting on the boat?
Written March 27, 2017
I'd go to the "Plantation Inn" dive shop in Crystal River. Great folks, great prices, great info, and close!
Written March 28, 2017
I hope this isn't too silly of a question but is there a chance of seeing alligators? I have no idea what kind of water they live in. If not, is there a place nearby that does go where there are alligators?
Thank you.
Shirley
Written July 20, 2015
Hi Shirley, great question!
Alligators live in freshwater environments, such as ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, and swamps, as well as brackish environment. Our rescue gators Sal, Mo, & Nella arrived over 10 years ago and are usually chilling pool side right here at River Safaris.
Written July 20, 2015
Hello, I would really like a reply to the emails I have sent re booking one/two of your airboat tours-please check your inbox.
Written April 3, 2015
We check our inbox multiple times during the hours of 8am until 4pm. If we have not received your email perhaps it is lost in transit? we do check spam file as well.
Written April 28, 2015
Trying to book 2 of their Tours but their 'BOOK ONLINE' area is not opening and as in NZ not practical
to phone them. Sent them email explaining this [no reply yet?] How else can I do these bookings?
Written April 1, 2015
We have contacted our online booking rep with your question and they were unable to understand why you were not able to book online. If out of the country we suggest you give us a call or try booking online upon your arrival.
Written April 28, 2015
I have a handicapped son. Downsymdrome and in a wheel chair. Can he go on the boat tour?
Written February 25, 2015
If you wish to go on a pontoon tour, the wheelchair can be easily loaded with your child. Airboats are harder and you would need to lift the child from his chair and place him in the seat, the wheelchair would have to be left behind.
Written March 17, 2015
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